The Dalai Lama says Europe risks losing its identity by taking in too many migrants and warned: 'Germany cannot become an Arab country.'

Tibet's spiritual leader says refugees should only stay temporarily and return home to rebuild their countries when the conflicts have ended.

The Dalai Lama, who has himself lived in exile for over half a century, said: 'When we look into the face of every single refugee, especially the children and women, we can feel their suffering.

'A human being who is a bit more fortunate has the duty to help them. On the other hand, there are too many now.'

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Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, gives a religious talk at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharmsala, India, on Wednesday after warning that Europe could reach braking point by taking in 'too many' migrants

Germany last year took in 1.1 million people fleeing war in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries in the Middle East.

In an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he said: 'Europe, for example Germany, cannot become an Arab country. Germany is Germany.

'There are so many that in practice it becomes difficult.'

He said 'from a moral point of view too, I think the refugees should only be admitted temporarily'.

'The goal should be that they return and help rebuild their countries.'

The Dalai Lama also said in the interview, conducted in Dharamsala, seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile in northern India, that he hopes to one day return to Tibet.

'Maybe in a few years,' said the 80-year-old. 'If an opportunity for my return arises, or at least for a short visit, that would be a source of great joy.'

Thousands of Tibetans have fled their Himalayan homeland since China sent in troops in 1951, and many have settled in India.

With Europe's worst migrant crisis since World War II peaking for a second consecutive year, the UN refugee agency said some 204,000 people had crossed the Mediterranean to the continent since January.

But it has taken on an ever-more deadly turn with 2,500 drowned so far this year.

Figures released on Tuesday showed that more than a third of the deaths had occurred over the past week, when at least 880 people died in a series of shipwrecks of the Libyan coast, the UN refugee agency said, citing information from survivors.

'I emphasise that that figure is a conservative estimate,' UNHCR spokesman William Spindler told reporters, with a number of small children reportedly among the dead.

Spindler said that 2016 'is proving to be particularly deadly,' indicating the death toll in the first five months of 2015 stood at 1,855, while the number during the same period in 2014 was 57.

In an sign that France may be taking a more active stance this year on the migrant crisis, Paris authorities were 'assessing different sites' for their suitability to host a camp 'as soon as possible', Mayor Anne Hidalgo told reporters.

She said the current situation was no longer 'tenable', pointing to the example of a makeshift camp that had sprung up in the north of Paris in the past few days where 800 people are living.

The migrant crisis has shown no sign of calming despite an EU deal with Turkey that is aimed at blocking the influx.

But the agreement is at risk of unravelling over a dispute between Brussels and Ankara, with Turkey threatening to walk unless the EU makes good on a visa waiver pledge for Turkish nationals.

On Tuesday, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warned Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to 'think twice' before turning his back on the agreement

While arrivals to Greece have fallen sharply since the deal was signed on March 20, this year's number is still more than double the nearly 92,000 who landed on Europe's shores during the first five months of 2015, according to the International Organization for Migration.

And although Germany was the main destination for people fleeing war and poverty, with 1.1 million arrivals in 2015, thousands have also flocked to France in recent months.

French authorities have long resisted putting in place an infrastructure for the migrants, up until Tuesday's surprise announcement.

Visibly frustrated, Mayor Hidalgo said she had alerted the relevant state authorities to the situation in Paris several times but was still waiting for a response.

She said the state had not provided sufficient resources to give refugees 'a fitting welcome'.

'We are going to take things in hand,' she added.

Many migrants see France as a springboard to Britain where they believe they will have a better chance at finding work and where some have relatives.

Fearing a new influx, Britain on Tuesday announced increased patrols in the Channel.

The British government has faced heavy criticism after 18 Albanian migrants had to be rescued when their boat started taking on water off the English coast late on Saturday.

'We have seen a small number of migrants trying to use more dangerous routes to get to the UK,' a spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron's office said.

'We take every necessary action to protect our border security and will continue to do so,' he added.

High winds, strong currents, a high volume of traffic and low water temperatures all make the Channel a treacherous stretch of water.

The migrant crisis has sharply divided public opinion in Europe, with some welcoming refugees in their homes and others rallying to far-right anti-immigration groups.

I don't know what's with these Europeans and their bhaand media. Getting raped, still want to show compassion.

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those who oppose immigrants are 'far-right', but those who welcome them in their homes (who in their right minds would do that anyway?! or they developed some affinity for 'homely taharrush'?!), what are they?!! not 'far-left'?! or 'far' something else? miberals atleast (moronic liberals).

those who oppose immigrants are 'far-right', but those who welcome them in their homes (who in their right minds would do that anyway?! or they developed some affinity for 'homely taharrush'?!), what are they?!! not 'far-left'?! or 'far' something else? miberals atleast (moronic liberals).

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That's the point. They are not in their right minds. A couple of days back, people from a swiss village chose to pay 200000 pounds instead of taking 10 refugees.

Ideally, they shouldn't even have to pay. But still, they chose right.

That's the point. They are not in their right minds. A couple of days back, people from a swiss village chose to pay 200000 pounds instead of taking 10 refugees.

Ideally, they shouldn't even have to pay. But still, they chose right.

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that's a total Whiskey Tango Foxtrot qualifier!
why in the world they had to PAY?! & to whom? their gobermint?!
but glad to read they have self-respect (only in a village...only in a village!). a trait MANY yindans can learn.

that's a total Whiskey Tango Foxtrot qualifier!
why in the world they had to PAY?! & to whom? their gobermint?!
but glad to read they have self-respect (only in a village...only in a village!). a trait MANY yindans can learn.

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The fund goes to some refugee help fund started by the government. These people are forced to accept refugees or else pay fine.

I am highly surprise that being a refugee himself the Dalai Lama seems to stand against asylum rights for other refugees. Time for sending him back to Tibet ?

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There's much difference between refugees and backstabbers.
We Indians are now a days being tagged as racists over colours (this sort of racism hasn't existed here since our existence) because we were "harsh" with some innocent Nigerian students playing gangwar gangwar in streets of New Delhi.

I wonder why so many Indians are so concerned about Europa.
Europe can look after itself. Besides Europe is aging fast and they need a younger labor force.
In any case it is Europe's choice as to what it does.

I wonder why so many Indians are so concerned about Europa.
Europe can look after itself. Besides Europe is aging fast and they need a younger labor force.
In any case it is Europe's choice as to what it does.

There's much difference between refugees and backstabbers.
We Indians are now a days being tagged as racists over colours (this sort of racism hasn't existed here since our existence) because we were "harsh" with some innocent Nigerian students playing gangwar gangwar in streets of New Delhi.

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About backstabbing and racism . If you look at the picture below you can see that the three French Army soldiers there are not ethnic "Gauls " . One day their parents were either immigrants or even , centuries ago , slaves in French sugar islands . Still they have chosen to side with the French Republic. Others will backstab, but they will find on their way people like these soldiers.

I am highly surprise that being a refugee himself the Dalai Lama seems to stand against asylum rights for other refugees. Time for sending him back to Tibet ?

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Most Tibetan are not Indian Citizen even if they identify themselves,many have even fought legal battle to become citizen.In India, we also have refugee from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and huge immigrant population from Nepal,we just do not like make huge deal about it.India official position has been that the Tibetan Govt. and China should resolve the issue so that the refuge can go home.The same is for the Sri Lanka refugee.

Poles have more common culture then Arabs in Germany .By the way why not accept Christian Refugee from Middle east ,I mean they are you bother and they are the most oppressed community out there, they require the maximum help and the Vatican has not spoken too much about it .